Liberty Media issued its earnings report for the fourth quarter of 2014 on Wednesday, revealing an increase in revenues over the equivalent quarter in 2013.
Liberty, which owns interests in companies including SiriusXM Holdings and Live Nation Entertainment, also reported $1.095 billion in earnings,versus $1.025 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013.
According to The Wrap, that put the company right in line with the predictions of analysts, who had forecast that the company would report revenues in the $1.09 billion range.
The company touted a strong fourth quarter for SiriusXM, which Liberty owns a 56.7 percent ownership stake in as of Feb. 3, and whose subscriber base grew to 27.3 million in 2014.
“Once again, SiriusXM posted record results for the fourth quarter and full year. Subscriber growth in the fourth quarter was a particular highlight, marking the largest fourth quarter increase since 2007. SiriusXM enters 2015 with a strong trial funnel, an unmatched offering of exclusive content and focused on the opportunities around a future connected car environment,” said Greg Maffei, president and CEO of Liberty Media
iHeartMedia/Nashville Operations Manager and WSIX 97.9 FM Big98 Program Director Michael Bryan has been given a new title: Senior VP/Programming.
Bryan will also become Executive PD of Premiere Networks-syndicated "Bobby Bones Show" and "Tige & Daniel" shows. Bryan joined the Nashville five-station cluster in 2012 as OM.
Prior to joining the Nashville cluster, Bryan served as Digital Program Director for Clear Channel/Orlando and Program Director of Top40 WXXL 106.7 FM in Orlando.
Bryan said, "Great programming is built on connecting incredible personalities with our collective audience. It's a true privilege to lead such legendary brands in Nashville. I can't think of a bigger honor than getting the opportunity to work more closely with both The Bobby Bones Show and Tige and Daniel."
"Michael's incredibly intuitive programming ability and top-notch leadership qualities make this a very well-deserved promotion," says Nashville VP/MM Dan Endom.
Flinn Broadcasting has rebranded its Classic HipHop format in the Memphis market after a lawsuit filed by Radio for it's use of the trademarked 'Boom' brand.
Flinn is now using "Bumpin' 96' on its WIVG 96.1 FM and WOFX 96.3 FM in the Memphis-area
Meanwhile, a Federal judge has granted Radio One's request for a permanent injunction preventing Flinn Broadcasting from using Radio One's trademarked term "Boom" on its radio stations.
Radio One has been using the trademarked slogan "Boom" since October of 2014 on the Throwback/Classic Hip Hop stations the company launched in Houston, Philadelphia, Dallas and Atlanta.
Radio One, Inc. subsequently filed suit against Flinn, alleging trademark infringement, false designation of origin, deceptive acts and practices and unfair competition over the use of the "Boom" name.
Salem Media Group has announced that its newest talk show host will be noted author, columnist, speaker and TV personality Eric Metaxas. Eric will be joining Salem Radio Network on Monday, April 20th with a new afternoon talk show. The two-hour program will air live weekday afternoons 2pm to 4pm ET.
"We are extremely enthusiastic to have Eric join the Salem platform," said Phil Boyce, Senior Vice President of Salem Radio Network. "I have tried to get Eric to join us for two years, and this opportunity seemed to be a perfect match. He'll do a great show every day that will inspire listeners and help stations grow their audience."
Eric Metaxas is a #1 New York Times bestselling author known for mobilizing people to ask bigger questions and live more meaningful lives. His smash best-seller Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet Spy is ranked #21 by Amazon in "most highlighted books of all time," and his books have been translated into more than twenty languages. Eric created a national stir in 2012 when his keynote address at the National Prayer Breakfast created a tidal wave of support and his recent Wall Street Journal article "Science Increasingly Makes the Case for God" is the most popular article ever published at the WSJ online. Eric lives in Manhattan with his wife and family and will broadcast the daily program from Salem Radio Network studios in the Empire State Building.
"I've waited for the right opportunity, and this is it," said Eric. "Stu Epperson, Ed Atsinger, Dave Santrella, Phil Boyce, Hugh Hewitt, and Dennis Prager and all the rest are names I've revered for years. To be a part of what they are doing is an honor and a privilege. What's more, it will be fun and I'm champing at the bit to get started."
"In our continuing efforts to add value to all of our platforms, we are delighted to have Eric Metaxas join us to create a new and exciting daily radio program that will be entertaining, enlightening, and will truly make a difference," said Salem Media Group CEO, Ed Atsinger.
"Our goal is to create a great talk program that Christian stations will feel proud to carry, but could also be a true cross-over to the News Talk arena," said Dave Santrella, Salem President of Broadcast Media.
Greater Media has announced Dave Shore has been named as the new program director at Detroit Sports WMGC 105.1 FM in the Motor City. He will begin his new position on Monday, March 23, 2015.
“Dave’s experience in overseeing sports radio in major markets like LA, along with his relationship with the Lakers made him the perfect choice to lead the Detroit Sports 105.1 team,” said Steve Chessare, vice president and market manager of Greater Media Detroit. “We are absolutely thrilled to have him help us take the station to the next level.”
Shore most recently served as the operations manager of ESPN Radio’s KSPN 710 AM/ ESPN LA, where he was responsible for overseeing daily operations and special events, as well as managing team relationships for the past four years. In addition,Shore was heard on the air as the pre-game host of the Los Angeles Lakers broadcasts.
Prior to that, he worked for Capitol Broadcasting in North Carolina,where Shore launched 99.9 FM/The Fan in 2007, as well as managed AM Sports sister stations 620The Buzz and 1550 ESPN Desportes.
He also served as the sports director and talk show host/reporter for seven years at ESPN Radio’s 103.3FM in Dallas. Texas. While there, he hosted the pre-game show as well as did side-line reporting for both radio and television for the NBA Dallas Mavericks broadcast team.
In addition to continuing to work sidelines for ESPN Radio’s national college football radio coverage, he did TV play by play for Bob Knight’s last four years coaching at Texas Tech. The broadcasting veteran has also worked in Portland,Oregon, Lexington, Kentucky and Evansville,Indiana.
Elvis Duran, one of America’s most popular radio personalities, is a headliner at this year’s Radiodays Europe in Milan, Italy. Duran will take the stage and pull back the curtain on the Z-100 Morning Show which is based in New York and heard in 70 markets across the country. Duran is excited for the opportunity, “I'm honored to be participating in this event. This is a great chance to show how connected we all are through the power of radio.”
Joining him on stage is the Vice President of Talent Development for iHeartMedia, Dennis Clark. Dennis’ role is to nurture the best and most talented radio people in the industry and he works directly with key radio personalities, such as Duran and Ryan Seacrest. They’ll discuss how to create a show that consistently delivers huge audiences, and will reveal the ingredients that makes Elvis Duran the most listened to Top 40 Morning Show in the states.
The U.S. radio industry will be well represented at this year’s Radiodays Europe. Here are just some of the other notable U.S. presenters and workshop leaders making the pilgrimage to Milan March 15-17.
Anna Sale, producer at WNYC, is leading a session on “Death, Sex and Money; How to Start and Succeed with Podcasting.”
David G. Hall, media strategist, is presenting a session titled, “Five Simple Tools to Make Your Show Better.”
Larry Gifford, programming & talent consultant, is co-presenting the “30 Ideas in 45 Minutes” session and is a leader at the “Fast & Furious” workshop.
John Vorhaus, creative consultant, is leading a workshop on “Your Radio Brand” and presenting a session on “How to be Funny When You’re Not.”
Steve Jones, music industry veteran, is hosting the session, “Be Like a Rock Star!”
Larry Rosin, Edison Research, is diving deep into the “Stream Battle.”
Marty Garrison, VP Technology for NPR, is co-presenting “What if Technology Was Your Best Friend After All.”
Joel Sucherman, Sr. Dir. Digital Developments for NPR, will discuss “Mobile Apps; More Than Just Live Radio.”
Dennis Clark, VP Talent Development for iHeartMedia, is presenting a session on “Making Radio Personalities Relevant in 2015.”
Warren Kurtzman, President & COO of Coleman Insights, is discussing, “Aristotelian Dramaturgy - How to Create Compelling Personality-Driven Content.”
Bryce Clemmer, CEO of Vadio, is co-presenting a session on “Radio Worth Watching.”
Rob Green, VP of Streaming for WideOrbit, is presenting “From Linear to Digital.”
The complete list of sessions and speakers and ticket information for Radiodays Europe is available at www.radiodayseurope.com
Launched in 2010, Radiodays Europe is the largest and most important international radio conference in the world. It is also considered to be the best with high quality content, great speakers and a huge program with over 100 speakers in 55 sessions over 2½ days. In 2014, it attracted 1300 delegates from over 60 countries.
A New Orleans attorney and former radio personality avoided jail time Wednesday in a bizarre case in which she was accused of filing a bogus police report against a taxi driver who filmed her making sexual advances in his cab.
The lawyer, Jennifer Gaubert, faced up to six months in jail for criminal mischief — a lesser offense she was convicted of last month after standing trial on the felony charge of making a false statement. But Criminal District Court Judge Arthur Hunter, who handled the proceedings without a jury, sentenced Gaubert to a suspended sentence of one day in Orleans Parish Prison and one day of probation.
The sentence capped a saga that began in April 2012 with Gaubert’s drunken cab ride to Lakeview from Galatoire’s restaurant on Bourbon Street, where she had enjoyed several drinks during a three-hour lunch.
The cab driver, Hervey Farrell, shot a cellphone video, since published online, in which Gaubert, having climbed into the front seat, pleads for sex while exposing her genitals to him.
The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Wednesday that the club has renewed its partnership for two years with WMVP 1000 AM ESPN Chicago and will continue to broadcast the live, weekly Fire-themed soccer show beginning on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 7 a.m. CT. Returning hosts Fred Huebner and Kevin Egan will be joined in the booth by former U.S. Women’s National Team defender Danielle Slaton to anchor “Chicago Fire Weekly” presented by The PrivateBank.
“It’s a great opportunity for the club to continue this weekly radio show, allowing our fans another unique outlet to enjoy Fire coverage,” said Fire COO Atul Khosla. “The partnership with ESPN Radio allows us to keep reaching a wider audience and continue to engage with soccer fans in the Chicagoland area.”
"Chicago Fire Weekly" presented by The PrivateBank will continue its live, one-hour show covering the Chicago Fire and other soccer news from around MLS and the world. The show is scheduled to run for 33 weeks in 2015, beginning on Feb. 28 with an option to extend the show through the MLS playoffs. All shows will also be available via live streaming at ESPNChicago.com, as well as via downloadable podcast.
“ESPN Chicago is pleased to renew our partnership with the Chicago Fire Soccer Club,” said ESPN Chicago Vice President and General Manager John E. Cravens. “'Chicago Fire Weekly' will continue to air on Saturday mornings where fans will be updated and entertained on Chicago Fire team happenings.”
Several of the stars of the British Invasion 2015 Tour -- Denny Laine from Paul McCartney and Wings, Chad & Jeremy, Billy J. Kramer, Mike Pender of the Searchers and Terry Sylvester of the Hollies -- performed at the Hard Rock Cafe Times Square Feb. 24 to tape a new radio specialm according to The Eximiner.
The special for Sirius/XM Satellite Radio is titled “Cousin Brucie Presents the British Invasion Stars.”
The show was emceed by veteran disc jockey Cousin Bruce Morrow of Sirius/XM Radio. who hosts “Crusin' With Cousin Brucie” and “Cousin Brucie's Saturday Rock 'n' Roll Party” for SiriusXM.
Though Sirius/XM often tapes at their studios, this special was taped at the Hard Rock Times Square, which stands on the site of the former Paramount Theater.
According to British Invasion tour producer Keith Putney, the show was done before an invited audience.
The taping lasted roughly an hour and 20 minutes, and included extensive interviews with each artist about their musical influences. Terry Sylvester told Morrow he was influenced by the Everly Brothers and the first record he ever bought was Elvis Presley's “Hound Dog”/“Don't Be Cruel.”
Denny Laine said his big influence was Lonnie Donnegan's recording of “Wabash Cannonball,” while Chad & Jeremy cited Josh White. The show will premiere 5 p.m ET Friday (Feb.27) and will be repeated at 1 p.m. ET Sunday.
A two-year old awaiting heart surgery has inspired the sixth annual "Freezin' for a Reason."
Billings morning personality Livin' Large Larry was not planing this year's event until he heard about Malachi Hosa.
Malichi turns three on Friday and already has had two open heart surgeries.
Livin' Large Larrry hosts the Billings Morning News on NewsTalk KCHH 95.5 FM.
He's camping out for three nights in the Stockman Bank parking lot on King Avenue West.
Larry says he knows what it's like to receive help in overcoming a medical issue.
"Out of six years of doing this, this is the first time I've talked about this part," Larry said. "I had cancer 18 years ago and my kids were three years old and six months old at that time, and I vowed that when I beat my disease, I would come back and be that radio guy that just gives back, gives back. My wife will tell you a longer version of that story, but in a nutshell, that's why I do Freezin' for a Reason, to be quite honest with you."
He started this year's fundraiser at 5pm Wednesday - and he'll stay out until 5pm Friday.
Earl Williams, co-host of “The Earl and Don Show” on WDAY 970 AM radio, kept listeners laughing from the late 1960s to 1981 has died from the effects of a stroke.
Whether your radio was tuned to WDAY, or you met Williams at a coffee shop, you’d know him as the man with the wit that wouldn’t quit.
“Earl was the kind of guy, who you always walked away from smiling and laughing. He always had a funny story,” said Larry Gauper, a copy writer and radio commercial producer for WDAY from 1967 to 1975.
“Every time you’d see a group of people (at WDAY), and they’d be standing around in a circle and they’d be laughing and roaring, I’d go over there and there would be Earl, telling a story,” Gauper said.
He began his radio career May 15, 1954, in Glendive, Mont., at KXGN. Williams also worked at radio stations WJON and KKAM in St. Cloud, Minn., and at KOVC Radio in Valley City, N.D., before moving to Fargo in 1965. He worked for a time at KXGO radio in Fargo, before joining WDAY.
Williams ended his run on the WDAY morning show in 1981, returning to the air at Fargo’s KVOX 1280 AM in April 1983.
In 1932...Hall of Fame singer/guitarist Johnny Cash was born on this day in 1932. He died Sept. 12, 2003 at 71. In 1951...WMCA FM changed call letters to WHOM FM in NYC
According to NYC City FM History, the station, purchased by WHOM 1480 AM, initially featured a foreign-language format of 13 languages, including some not widely spoken ones such as Swiss-German, Carpatho-Ruthenian, Ukrainian, Russian, Turkish and Chinese.
In August 1961, WHOM-FM began a syndicated classical music format under the "Heritage" name. This continued until June 15, 1962 when WHOM-FM began simulcasting the mostly Spanish programming from WHOM-AM.
Charles Baltin, VP of WHOM, noted the many Spanish-speaking listeners moving to New York and said the "WHOM-FM signal will extend farther than the WHOM-AM signal, providing listeners with a radio service they could not otherwise obtain." The simulcast continued until 1970, when the FCC refused an extension of its permit to simulcast the AM.
The station then started broadcasting the "Romantic Sounds Of Stereo," a Latin-type beautiful music program service with Spanish and English announcers, but continued to simulcast the AM station from 5a-9a and all day Sunday.
By 1975, the station had evolved into a Pop/Rock leaning AC format, with calls of WKTU.
On July 24, 1978, WKTU abruptly switched to an "All Disco" format as "Disco 92", which eventually evolved into more of a Rhythmic CHR by the Fall of 1979.
In the summer of 1984, WKTU became a mainstream CHR.
Then, in July of 1985, after airing the Live Aid concert, the station switched to a mainstream AOR format, featuring new and classic rock as WXRK "K-Rock".
In September 1985, Howard Stern (who had been fired from WNBC earlier that year) joined the station, initially for afternoons and in early 1986 switched to mornings.
In 1987, WXRK had instituted a classic rock format and on January 5, 1996, evolved into an alternative/active rock format.
On April 4, 2005, WXRK debuted a mainstream rock format, encompassing music from the 60's to today.
Howard Stern
On December 16, 2005, Howard Stern broadcasted his last show on the station, before his anticipated move to Sirius Satellite Radio on January 9, 2006.
On January 3, 2006, 92.3 became an "all-talk" station (with the exception of weekends when it features a rock format) using the "Free FM" slogan and featuring David Lee Roth in mornings.
Calls were officially changed to WFNY on January 1.
In April 2006, David Lee Roth was replaced with Opie & Anthony.
On May 24, 2007 at 5pm, "K-Rock" returned to 92.3.
Calls were changed back to WXRK on May 31, 2007.
On March 11, 2009, 92.3 switched to a CHR format as "92.3 Now FM", with the "K-Rock" format moving to 92.3's HD2 channel.
92.3 changed calls to WNOW on November 8, 2012.
On May 22, 2014 at 2pm, 92.3 re-branded themselves as "92.3 AMP."
Calls changed to WBMP on June 23, 2014.
In 1954...Michigan rep Ruth Thompson (R) introduces legislation to ban mailing "obscene, lewd, lascivious or filthy" phonograph (rock & roll) records
In 1955…Billboard magazine reported that 45-RPM singles were outselling 78s for the first time. The number 45 came from taking 78 and subtracting Columbia's 33 rpm. RCA introduced the first 45 on March 31, 1949. The first 45 to hit the Billboard charts was "'A'-You're Adorable" by Perry Como with the Fontane Sisters on May 7, 1949.
In 1966..."These Boots are Made for Walkin'" by Nancy Sinatra peaked at Number One on the pop singles chart.
In 1970...Beatles release "Beatles Again" aka "Hey Jude" album
In 1973...WHN 1050 AM NYC changed to country music. After researching the market, Storer converted WHN to a country format in 1973. Mutual bought WHN in the late 1980s. WYNY- FM flipped to country from 1980 to 1984, hurting WHN’s ratings.
Doubleday Broadcasting bought WHN in 1985, and Emmis Communications bought it the following year. Emmis added sports talk in the evenings, keeping the country format during the day.
In 1987, Emmis announced WHN would become all-sports WFAN. When Emmis purchased NBC’s New York radio stations in 1988, the company moved WFAN from 1050 AM to 660 AM, formerly occupied WNBC.
Spanish Broadcasting System purchased the 1050 AM license and became WUKQ, a Spanish Adult Contemporary station. Spanish Broadcasting System wanted to swap 1050 AM with cash for the Jewish Daily Forward’s FM station, WEVD 97.9 FM. The deal was approved in 1989.
WEVD’s call letters and programming moved to the 1050 AM frequency. The station mainly carried a brokered format of ethnic programs, talk shows and foreign-language programming. By the mid-1990s, WEVD moved to a left-leaning news-talk format.
An agreement with ABC/Disney brought ESPN’s “The Dan Patrick Show” to WEVD in 2001. On September 2, 2001, WEVD became “1050 ESPN Radio.”
The call letters were changed to WEPN in 2003, competing directly with WFAN’s all-sports format. In 2012, WEPN’s programming moved to 98.7 FM. ESPN Deportes later moved the 1050 AM frequency.
In 1976...Jay Reynolds does last show at 77 WABC NYC almost 6-years to the date when he started.
In 1983...Michael Jackson's Thriller hit Number One on the U.S. album chart, where it stayed for 37 weeks on its way to selling more than 40 million copies worldwide.
In 2006...Radio personality Jack Lazare died
Jack Lazare
In the 1950s heyday of Big Bands, Lazare was host of the popular "Milkman's Matinee'' on WNEW in New York. His studio guests included Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong and Benny Goodman. Lazare's radio career later took him to Boston, hosting "Music 'til Dawn'' on WEEI, and ``Sounds in the Night'' and a talk show on WHDH.
Born in New York City, Lazare studied communications at the University of California at Berkeley. After serving in the Navy as a pilot, he went on to become executive producer of programming for the Voice of America, supervising 17 Southeast Asia language desks.
As an actor, Lazare was in the film ``See How She Runs,'' starring Joanne Woodward, and ``The Defection of Simas Kudirka,'' starring Alan Arkin.
The New England representative for the Screen Actors Guild of America, Lazare moved to Essex in 1985 and purchased a Meriden-based radio station, WMMW. He also worked in Farmington as program director for WRCH-WNEZ.
In 2011…Longtime Kansas City broadcaster Bill Grigsby, for 46 years the radio play-by-play voice of the National Football League's Chiefs, died after a fall while being treated for prostate cancer at age 89.
In 2013...Kelly Ford and Jesse Andy started at WNSH 94.7 FM
CRB has unveiled five new inductees for the Class of 2015 Country Radio Hall of Fame. They were announced Wednesday during the opening of the Country Radio Seminar.
The inductees are:
Sammy George
Sammy George:
During his 38-year career in radio, he has handled virtually every position inside a radio station, including on-air-personality, Program Director, News Reporter, sports play-by-play announcer, Sales Executive and Director of Sales.
His final 22 years in the radio business saw George serve as GM/Market Manager for WUSY/CHATTANOOGA, where he led the station to 73 consecutive #1 rating books, nine CMA Station of the Year awards, two ACM Station of the Year trophies, NAB Crystal and Marconi Awards, plus an eight-year run as the Chattanooga Times-Free Press Readers’ Choice Award for Best Local Radio Station.
Mike Kennedy
Mike Kennedy:
For Kennedy radio bug started in 1976 while attending high school in Emporaia, KS, landing a job at KVOE. He continued pursuing the business while attending college, earning degrees in Broadcasting and Business.
In 1984, he became the youngest station owner in the US with his purchase of WFXI in Haines City, FL. He rejoined KVOE in 1985 for mornings, sales, and play-by-play duties, and then moved to KEGS in Emporia where he assumed GM duties. A three-year stint at Top40 KXXR followed, prior to his joining KBEQ in Kansas City in 1991. In 1993, he oversaw the station’s move from Top 40 to Country as PD/Morning personality, positions he continues to hold today.
Joel Raab
Joel Raab:
He began his radio career as a 15-year old air personality at WTHE/Long Island, NY.
After serving as Air Talent/Student GM for Northwestern University's WNUR, Raab went on to programming and on-air positions in Pittsburgh, Cleveland and New York.
For the past 30 years, he has successfully consulted more than 200 Country stations spanning all market sizes while working for broadcast companies such as CBS Radio, Entercom, Greater Media, Journal Broadcasting, Saga and many others.
Randy Carroll
Randy Carroll:
During his 32 years with KAJA/SAN ANTONIO, which nearly equals the station’s tenure as a Country outlet, Randy Carroll has been a mainstay in mornings for San Antonio country radio listeners.
Carroll also doubled as KAJA PD for many years and is already a member of the San Antonion Hall of Fame.
During his time at KAJA, he has received multiple nominations for personality of the year honors from the ACM and CMA, winning the ACM trophy in 2012 with his on-air partner, Jamie Martin.
Karen Dallesandro
Karen Dallesandro:
At 19-years-of-age, her radio career began as the midday host at WSDS-AM/Ypsilanti, MI. She eventually landed mornings at WYCD in Detroit, then afternoons at crosstown WWWW.
In 1998, Dallesandro shifted to WMIL/MILWAUKEE for mornings, where she has since remained, co-hosting the “Karen, Scott & Radar” morning show. In 2001, the show was honored with a CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year award. She has contributed to her community, forming her “Karen’s Check Up For Chicks” campaign, which has provided mammogram screenings for hundreds of woman in Southeast Wisconsin.
“The Hall of Fame selection committee clearly did its homework here, evaluating a large and impressive slate of candidates before voting in these five deserving honorees for 2015,” said HOF Chairman RJ Curtis.
“The inductees for the Radio and On-Air categories represent many years of service and countless contributions to the Country radio/music industry, per the criteria for this distinction. I thank the committee, and congratulate the Country Radio Hall of Fame, Class of 2015. We look forward to a wonderful night on June 24th in Nashvillr when we formally induct these groundbreaking Country broadcasters.”
The Country Radio HOF is dedicated to the recognition of those individuals who have made significant contributions to the radio industry over a 20-year period, 15 of which must be in the Country format.
The annual HOF and dinner is set for June 24th, at the Omni Hotel in Nashville.
The Academy of Country Music announced today the full list of radio award winners for the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards. Radio award winners will not be televised due to time constraints during the live telecast of the 50th ACM Awards co-hosted by Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan from AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, in Arlington, TX on Sunday, April 19th at 8:00PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
This is the second ACM National On-Air Personality of the Year win for Big D, Bubba and Patrick Thomas. They previously won the award in 2007.
Winners in radio categories will be invited to receive their awards at a private reception in Arlington, TX on Saturday, April 18th, the day prior to the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards.
ON-AIR PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR WINNERS:
NATIONAL Big D, Bubba, Patrick Thomas – The Big D and Bubba Show
MAJOR MARKET Lisa Dent & Ramblin’ Ray – WUSN-FM – Chicago, IL
LARGE MARKET Big Dave, Chelsie, Stattman – WUBE-FM – Cincinnati, OH
MEDIUM MARKET Steve & Gina & the Kat 103.7 Morning Show – KXKT-FM – Omaha, NE
Country radio's biggest event of the year, Country Radio Seminar (CRS), kicks off today at the Nashville Convention Center in downtown Nashville, TN.
The annual, three-day conference, starts today and continues thru Friday, provides numerous networking opportunities for attendees and an agenda filled with educational seminars, intriguing panels and exciting performances from some of country music's biggest stars. Events that will make their return, include the Grand Ole Opry show on Wednesday night, “Team UMG At The Ryman” and the Black River performance luncheons, and Bob Kingsley's Acoustic Alley.
With a combined number of 26 panels, sessions and educational presentations, the agenda is packed full of items that focus on many different areas of the Country radio industry. Notable panels include, “The Power of the Connected Car,” “Direct From The Consumer Electronics Show: Coolest Gadgets & Gizmos for 2015,” “Social Media Bootcamp, Track 1: How To Speak In Your Brand’s Voice and Get Content Shared” and “Social Media Bootcamp, Track 2: Finding & Engaging Your Consumers In Real-Time.” This year's CRS will also include an appearance from featured speaker Keith Urban at his event, "Being Present," and Lady Antebellum will be featured panelists on “How 3 Become 1: Lady Antebellum.”
A summary of agenda highlights for CRS 2015 follows below:
Wednesday, Feb. 25th
CRS 2015 kicks off with the Opening Ceremonies at 3 p.m. Capitol recording artist Micky Guyton will perform the national anthem and the U.S. Marine Color Guard will make an appearance. A host of announcements are scheduled, making this year’s opening ceremony a must-attend event. Some of the highlights include the reveal of the Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2015, a presentation recognizing Lady Antebellum as the recipient of the CRS 2015 Artist Humanitarian Award, an appearance by Mayor Karl Dean, presentation of the 2015 Tom Rivers Award to Jeff Smulyan and awarding the Rusty Walker scholarship winners and the endowment presentation to the University of North Texas. Opening Ceremonies are sponsored by ALS.net.
Thursday, Feb. 26th
Thursday morning will start off with the Programming Mentoring Breakfast, a one-on-one session with experienced PD's and radio consultants. Following breakfast, featured speaker Lori Addicks will discuss how to increase personal and professional resilience and performance with Emotional Intelligence (EQ.)
Panels will follow immediately and run throughout the day. Thursday’s panel highlights include: "How 3 Became 1: Lady Antebellum" "CRS Research Presentation: Do Mornings Still Drive Country Radio? sponsored by Fisher House Foundation" "Direct from the Consumer Electronics Show: Coolest Gadgets and Gizmos" featuring Ted Cohen, "From Zero to Hero: Successful Promotions with No Budget," and "Gensetters: 18-34 Listening Trends and How They Will Shape Our Future."
For its sixth consecutive year the UMG Artist Performance and Luncheon will take place at the historic Ryman Auditorium. This year’s performers include Billy Currington, Brothers Osborne, Canaan Smith, Chris Stapleton, Darius Rucker, David Nail, Dierks Bentley, Easton Corbin, Eric Church, Josh Turner, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Little Big Town, Mickey Guyton and Vince Gill.
Following the afternoon panels, Thursday's events will conclude with "Bob Kingsley's Acoustic Alley," sponsored by Bob Kingsley's Country Top 40 and Suntrust Bank. Bob Kingsley will host what has become a CRS tradition that will feature performances by Bob DiPiero, Casey Bethard, Rhett Akins, JT Harding, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite, Chris DeStefano, Jimmy Robbins, Liz Rose, Caitlyn Smith, Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey.
Friday, Feb. 27th
Friday morning will begin with the option of either the Managers' Breakfast or the CRS Futuri Tech Breakfast. They will then be followed by Friday's featured speaker, Rich Riley, Shazam CEO, who will discuss "How to Use Shazam to Enhance Your Programming and Promotions."
Friday's panels will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will run throughout the day. Highlights include: "Social Media Bootcamp Track 1 and Track 2," "Behind the Numbers: The Insider's Guide to Nielsen Data," " The Stars Come Out in the Morning featuring Bobby Bones, Scott Shannon and the Dave and Jimmy Show," and "C'mon, Get Appy! The Latest in App Technology for Radio, sponsored by Glow Motion Technologies."
Attendees will also be treated to a performance luncheon sponsored by Black River Entertainment. This year's performers include: Kelsea Ballerini, John King and Craig Morgan.
Closing out the seminar’s educational sessions is a discussion with Keith Urban. Urban will give his views and experiences of "tearing down the walls" between himself and audiences and offer insight into managing the several different facets of his life in a segment titled "Being Present." (Sponsored by BMI).
CRS will conclude with the annual New Faces of Country Music Show and Awards. This year's class of New Faces is Frankie Ballard, Sam Hunt, Eric Paslay, Maddie & Tae and Cole Swindell.
